Who's standing where you are?
Discussion
Got the postal ballot today, and there's only really one independent - the 'Cannabis Is Safer Than Alcohol' party. Which is arguably true, and in fact the candidate isn't the lone bonkers individual that I thought he might be and it's actually quite a high profile thing:
http://glasgow.stv.tv/articles/317787-hundreds-att...
The Conservatives are branding themselves as the Scottish Conservative and Unionist party, don't know if that will help or hinder them.
And the Scottish Communist Party, which may well just be another SNP candidate with a Fidel Castro mask on.
http://glasgow.stv.tv/articles/317787-hundreds-att...
The Conservatives are branding themselves as the Scottish Conservative and Unionist party, don't know if that will help or hinder them.
And the Scottish Communist Party, which may well just be another SNP candidate with a Fidel Castro mask on.
It's been the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party since it stopped being the Unionist Party in 1965 and became part of the Conservative Party.
Back on topic, my MP (Newport West) is Paul Flynn (Lab), who will be returned on the 8th of May unless he suffers a tragic accident in the meantime.
Edited to add : Labour hand-delivered a reminder to 'use my postal vote' to re-elect Mr Flynn. I posted about this before the Euro elections, apparently the register of postal voters is open. I wonder whose stupid idea that was?
Back on topic, my MP (Newport West) is Paul Flynn (Lab), who will be returned on the 8th of May unless he suffers a tragic accident in the meantime.
Edited to add : Labour hand-delivered a reminder to 'use my postal vote' to re-elect Mr Flynn. I posted about this before the Euro elections, apparently the register of postal voters is open. I wonder whose stupid idea that was?
Edited by handpaper on Tuesday 21st April 20:40
We have a conservative mp who has been elected here for the last 19 years or so. He has a really safe seat. The problem is, I can't stand him. For someone who is supposed to represent our area, we only ever see or hear from him around election time.
We have a choice of some other candidates, but they are people I've never heard of. They are all as bad as each other and are useless. I guess I'll have to go UKIP as there is no other option for me. Not that it will make a blind but of difference to the result.
We have a choice of some other candidates, but they are people I've never heard of. They are all as bad as each other and are useless. I guess I'll have to go UKIP as there is no other option for me. Not that it will make a blind but of difference to the result.
Sadly, i seem to only ever live in areas where i effectively feel i have no vote.
Used to live in Manchester. Labour get 60 odd percent of votes. No fear of anything other than red - even when that manky bint was caught with her hand in the till it made no difference.
Now live in tatton. There is no way whatsoever that it'll not go to the tories - the only time it hasn't is when the labour and liberals stepped down during the cash for questions scam.
I'll still be voting out of principle - a lot of people suffered quite a bit to bring us that right. I just wish we had a less daft system.
Used to live in Manchester. Labour get 60 odd percent of votes. No fear of anything other than red - even when that manky bint was caught with her hand in the till it made no difference.
Now live in tatton. There is no way whatsoever that it'll not go to the tories - the only time it hasn't is when the labour and liberals stepped down during the cash for questions scam.
I'll still be voting out of principle - a lot of people suffered quite a bit to bring us that right. I just wish we had a less daft system.
http://news.stv.tv/scotland-decides/316781-full-li...
Aberdeen South, no one of particular note I'm afraid.
Although it appears someone is standing for the National Front in Aberdeen North - I didn't even know they were a thing any more.
Aberdeen South, no one of particular note I'm afraid.
Although it appears someone is standing for the National Front in Aberdeen North - I didn't even know they were a thing any more.
Carshalton & Wallington. I'm hoping to contribute to the reduction in LD MP's as the main reasons he gives to be re-elected is to "stop the Conservatives winning here" and that he has been MP since 1997.
Not the most positive campaign and he was no use when a group of local residents needed him to oppose a local development - he wouldn't oppose his former council colleagues.
I am pretty disgusted that the BNP think it's worth putting up a candidate though.
Not the most positive campaign and he was no use when a group of local residents needed him to oppose a local development - he wouldn't oppose his former council colleagues.
I am pretty disgusted that the BNP think it's worth putting up a candidate though.
The present incumbent in my constituency in Scotland has a pretty reasonable majority. I think he was at university with me actually, but I still didn't know who he was until I used Google. You might argue that the profile of MPs has fallen in Scotland with the introduction of a second tier of government in the shape of the Scottish Parliament, except I haven't a clue who my MSP is either.
When I was younger I used to know the names and faces of all the sitting local MPs. I'm not sure if it is just I am less interested in politics these days or my local representatives are simply hopeless. I suspect the latter.
When I was younger I used to know the names and faces of all the sitting local MPs. I'm not sure if it is just I am less interested in politics these days or my local representatives are simply hopeless. I suspect the latter.
Simon Kirby MP Standing for Con again in Kemp Town and Peacehaven area in Brighton - unfortunately Nancy Platts (Lab) seems to have a huge amount of support, at least in Kemp Town. The saving grace is that his constituency includes a number of smaller towns and villages nearby such as Peacehaven and Rottingdean, which I expect are fairly staunch tory areas. Will be interesting to see how it pans out.
Also have a Green fella standing, unsurprisingly. If your campaign centers around you being "The second best Green candidate" (after Caroline Lucas, Brighton Pavillion), I feel you aren't exactly selling yourself.
Also have a Green fella standing, unsurprisingly. If your campaign centers around you being "The second best Green candidate" (after Caroline Lucas, Brighton Pavillion), I feel you aren't exactly selling yourself.
Well Sir Menzies Campbell is standing down, so it's anybody's race. We have the following:
Stephen Gethins: SNP - apparatchik whose Law degree from Dundee apparently put him in good stead to be the SNP's special advisor on such matters as Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth, Infrastructure and Capital Investment, Environment and Rural Affairs, Europe and External Relations, and Energy and Climate Change.
Tim Brett: LibDem - councillor with some controversial local government decisions to his name, in particular the decision to grant wholly inappropriate planning permission to the new school at Pipelands in St Andrews, riding rough-shod over green belt protection rules, various (un)suitability reports for the site, countless objections from local businesses and the public, and a number of proposed viable alternatives.
Andy Collins: Greens - local company boss, and spokesperson for Yes North East Fife
Brian Thompson: Labour - local councillor, believes Labour's policies will create a "strong economic foundation"
Huw Bell: Conservative - farming stock, served in the RAF, charity worker, landmine clearer, and now an advisor to small businesses
Mike Scott-Hayward: Independent (UKIP?) - UKIP's Scottish chairman, local councillor and watchman for the coastguard
You may detect the faintest hint that I'm not particularly enamoured with the SNP or LibDem candidates.
Stephen Gethins: SNP - apparatchik whose Law degree from Dundee apparently put him in good stead to be the SNP's special advisor on such matters as Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth, Infrastructure and Capital Investment, Environment and Rural Affairs, Europe and External Relations, and Energy and Climate Change.
Tim Brett: LibDem - councillor with some controversial local government decisions to his name, in particular the decision to grant wholly inappropriate planning permission to the new school at Pipelands in St Andrews, riding rough-shod over green belt protection rules, various (un)suitability reports for the site, countless objections from local businesses and the public, and a number of proposed viable alternatives.
Andy Collins: Greens - local company boss, and spokesperson for Yes North East Fife
Brian Thompson: Labour - local councillor, believes Labour's policies will create a "strong economic foundation"
Huw Bell: Conservative - farming stock, served in the RAF, charity worker, landmine clearer, and now an advisor to small businesses
Mike Scott-Hayward: Independent (UKIP?) - UKIP's Scottish chairman, local councillor and watchman for the coastguard
You may detect the faintest hint that I'm not particularly enamoured with the SNP or LibDem candidates.
Basingstoke
https://yournextmp.com/constituency/65623/basingst...
Maria Miller for Conservatives
Alan Stone for UKIP
Paul Harvey for Labour
Omar Selim as independent
Janice Spalding for Lib Dema
Labour pamphlet suggests he'll not have a second home due to the proximity of Basingstoke to London.
Conservatives talk of reduced unemployment, better economy
Lib Dems selling point seems to be fighting climate change and not being the Conservatives along with a photo of her in a tracksuit next to a recycling bin (had the impression she couldn't be bothered)
Had nothing from the other two as yet. However, when I lived in Winchester we only received political leaflets from Labour, Green or Lib Dems as those from UKIP and Conservatives were disappearing
It is a strong Conservative seat, but will be interesting to see what happens following the expenses 'scandal' with Maria Miller.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Miller
So far I have only seen political boards for Labour (huge ones in Kempshott) and a couple for the Conservatives (Farleigh Wallop way).
https://yournextmp.com/constituency/65623/basingst...
Maria Miller for Conservatives
Alan Stone for UKIP
Paul Harvey for Labour
Omar Selim as independent
Janice Spalding for Lib Dema
Labour pamphlet suggests he'll not have a second home due to the proximity of Basingstoke to London.
Conservatives talk of reduced unemployment, better economy
Lib Dems selling point seems to be fighting climate change and not being the Conservatives along with a photo of her in a tracksuit next to a recycling bin (had the impression she couldn't be bothered)
Had nothing from the other two as yet. However, when I lived in Winchester we only received political leaflets from Labour, Green or Lib Dems as those from UKIP and Conservatives were disappearing
It is a strong Conservative seat, but will be interesting to see what happens following the expenses 'scandal' with Maria Miller.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Miller
So far I have only seen political boards for Labour (huge ones in Kempshott) and a couple for the Conservatives (Farleigh Wallop way).
Edited by Crush on Wednesday 22 April 09:09
Crush said:
Basingstoke
https://yournextmp.com/constituency/65623/basingst...
Maria Miller for Conservatives
Alan Stone for UKIP
Paul Harvey for Labour
Omar Selim as independent
Janice Spalding for Lib Dema
Labour pamphlet suggests he'll not have a second home due to the proximity of Basingstoke to London.
Conservatives talk of reduced unemployment, better economy
Lib Dems selling point seems to be fighting climate change and not being the Conservatives along with a photo of her in a tracksuit next to a recycling bin (had the impression she couldn't be bothered)
Had nothing from the other two as yet. However, when I lived in Winchester we only received political leaflets from Labour, Green or Lib Dems as those from UKIP and Conservatives were disappearing
It is a strong Conservative seat, but will be interesting to see what happens following the expenses 'scandal' with Maria Miller.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Miller
So far I have only seen political boards for Labour (huge ones in Kempshott) and a couple for the Conservatives (Farleigh Wallop way).
Trougher Miller is my MP too, it's a job to know who to vote for.https://yournextmp.com/constituency/65623/basingst...
Maria Miller for Conservatives
Alan Stone for UKIP
Paul Harvey for Labour
Omar Selim as independent
Janice Spalding for Lib Dema
Labour pamphlet suggests he'll not have a second home due to the proximity of Basingstoke to London.
Conservatives talk of reduced unemployment, better economy
Lib Dems selling point seems to be fighting climate change and not being the Conservatives along with a photo of her in a tracksuit next to a recycling bin (had the impression she couldn't be bothered)
Had nothing from the other two as yet. However, when I lived in Winchester we only received political leaflets from Labour, Green or Lib Dems as those from UKIP and Conservatives were disappearing
It is a strong Conservative seat, but will be interesting to see what happens following the expenses 'scandal' with Maria Miller.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Miller
So far I have only seen political boards for Labour (huge ones in Kempshott) and a couple for the Conservatives (Farleigh Wallop way).
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 22 April 09:09
Richmondshire - Hague's seat.
Cons - Assume it's still a safe seat so have parachuted in Rishi Sunak, Winchester/Oxford PPE with a billionaire's daughter for a wife and a history of hedge fund management. As the name suggests, no ties to the area and a slightly different skin tone to 99% of the residents, whether that will matter or not is open to debate, but I suggested to him it might among the more right wing Conservatives (of which there are many) and older voters (of which there are also many) - in many ways this part of Yorkshire is still in the 1950s, with all the good and bad that brings.
Lab - God knows, no chance.
Libs - See above.
Greens - Local hairshirt wearer and eco-warrior, absolutely no chance in a region full of farmers.
Independent - John Blackie, local ex-Tory councillor and well liked, has been very visible as council leader and most feel he's done a good job. Not got party backing which will probably hurt him, along with the other independent who will split his vote.
Independent - Robin Scott, the one the local Conservative assn. wanted before Central Office parachuted their prefereed candidate in so will undoubtedly pick up the voted from the disgruntled Tories and those who would vote Tory but not if it's "one o' them, y'know, coloureds". Has already asked Blackie to step down to stop there being a split in the Independent vote.
UKIP - Matthew Cooke, been pretty low-key - I think they thought it was a Tory safe seat and that they wouldn't bother, they're probably right.
Should be an interesting election, even if only to see how much the Tory majority is cut by.....
Cons - Assume it's still a safe seat so have parachuted in Rishi Sunak, Winchester/Oxford PPE with a billionaire's daughter for a wife and a history of hedge fund management. As the name suggests, no ties to the area and a slightly different skin tone to 99% of the residents, whether that will matter or not is open to debate, but I suggested to him it might among the more right wing Conservatives (of which there are many) and older voters (of which there are also many) - in many ways this part of Yorkshire is still in the 1950s, with all the good and bad that brings.
Lab - God knows, no chance.
Libs - See above.
Greens - Local hairshirt wearer and eco-warrior, absolutely no chance in a region full of farmers.
Independent - John Blackie, local ex-Tory councillor and well liked, has been very visible as council leader and most feel he's done a good job. Not got party backing which will probably hurt him, along with the other independent who will split his vote.
Independent - Robin Scott, the one the local Conservative assn. wanted before Central Office parachuted their prefereed candidate in so will undoubtedly pick up the voted from the disgruntled Tories and those who would vote Tory but not if it's "one o' them, y'know, coloureds". Has already asked Blackie to step down to stop there being a split in the Independent vote.
UKIP - Matthew Cooke, been pretty low-key - I think they thought it was a Tory safe seat and that they wouldn't bother, they're probably right.
Should be an interesting election, even if only to see how much the Tory majority is cut by.....
Edited by Mark Benson on Wednesday 22 April 10:28
Alex Salmond for Gordon 
Christine Jardine is the Lib Dem Candidate and i forget the Tory candidates name.
For me its a toss up between the Tory or Lib Dem, mainly as i agree with the Tory policies BUT Lib Dem is only real way to stop the SNP in this seat as its been a LD safe seat for years with Sir Malcolm Bruce, so its very marginal this time, so my votes important.
Still not sure which way i am going.
Christine Jardine is the Lib Dem Candidate and i forget the Tory candidates name.
For me its a toss up between the Tory or Lib Dem, mainly as i agree with the Tory policies BUT Lib Dem is only real way to stop the SNP in this seat as its been a LD safe seat for years with Sir Malcolm Bruce, so its very marginal this time, so my votes important.
Still not sure which way i am going.
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